Dorie’s Tiramisu Cake
In a previous life, I made tiramisu almost every day. A rich, creamy, boozy, fully-caffeinated tiramisu. One whiff, and you’d be awake for three days. It was a heavyweight. So, I was looking forward to trying Dorie Greenspan’s Tiramisu Cake, this week’s Tuesdays with Dorie recipe, to see if you could get that tiramisu flavor in a lighter version, one without the hassles of soaking and balancing individual ladyfingers on their ends. Because creating that ring of vertical ladyfingers encircling the tiramisu, with exactly three ladyfingers per slice, was once the bane of my existence. They break. They shift. Swing low, sweet chariot.
On the other hand, Dorie’s Tiramisu Cake is made of two layers of light, buttery cake brushed with an espresso-Kahlua syrup and filled with a creamy mixture of mascarpone, whipped cream and a little espresso. There’s also a layer of finely chopped chocolate in the middle, mainly for color. The assembly is quick, and the cake is much lighter than the original dessert – both in flavor and in the fact that you can actually stand up after eating a slice. Coffee-lovers will probably want to double the syrup to truly soak the cake and amp up that coffee-and-Kahlua flavor. Also … I think it needs the ladyfingers. Next time I try this recipe, I’ll replace the top cake with a layer of delicious, delicate, Kahlua-carrying ladyfingers. Because we go way back.
For the recipe, visit Megan of My Baking Adventures, or pick up a copy of Dorie Greenspan’s “Baking: From My Home to Yours.”
Your cake looks gorgeous!
Absolutely gorgeous!
"Coffee-lovers will probably want to double the syrup to truly soak the cake and amp up that coffee-and-Kahlua flavor."
NOW you tell me! :) Yeah, when I make this again (and make it again, I will) I'm doubling the syrup and adding more Kahula, too! But other than that, it was yummy.
Gorgeous! I love the swirl on the top!
Wow, I don't know how you got that frosting to look so gorgeous, but bravo! Your cake is beautiful! This was a great recipe.
I love the way you decorated this! It looks beautiful!
Beautiful cake. I think I would love this… a little lighter version of tiramisu.
I love the swirls on top. Gorgeous!
That looks lovely! I'm curious to see how a lady finger layer would work out.
OH MY GOD!
Your cake is gorgeous!!!!
my mom has had the absolute worst luck making tiramisu, so i'm passing this recipe on to her as a mothers' day gift (and making it on sunday)! i love your idea of doing the top layer with lady-fingers instead. i can only hope mine turns out as beautiful as yours!
Ok – that is the best looking cake I have seen! Your cake totally puts mine to shame!!
Very Well Done!!!!
That picture has me drooling!
Wow. Sounds fun. I sure do enjoy coffee. Lady fingers are pretty aces as well.
Looks good – and I like the part about being awake for three days! I think I needed to add more syrup to mine – boozy is better!
Well. Doesn't that just look so fabulous it is just silly? Lovely!
Yours came out great! I have never had the nerve to make a real Tiramisu so I am jealous that you know how to!
Yes, I wish I'd doubled the syrup on this one. More coffee and liquor, please! All those swirls on top of your cake are just beautiful.
WOW! It is almost as if you placed each individual puff of cocoa powder by hand! It is perfect! And I love your idea of replacing the top layer with ladyfingers. To me, tiramisu isn't tiramisu without the ladyfingers (but this was a great substitute if you can't find any!)
I agree about the ladyfingers – for me, the mouth feel that they provide is one of the pleasures of the dessert.
That swirl is amazing. It really set off the cake. I liked the cake very much, but from a coffee lover, yes, I did want a bolder flavor. I just LOVE coffee. This was a nice dessert though. So, you are the Shiznit when it comes to Tiramisu? Awesome.
super-duper pretty! more syrup is definitely a good idea!
What a stunning presentation! I'm a total tirmisu fanatic, and I loved DG's take on this dessert.
Your cake is so lovely! I agree about doubling the espresso syrup for coffee lovers. Mine could have been a bit more soaked.
Looks great! I love how you piped the topping!
Love how you piped on the frosting! Very nice!
~ingrid
That is beautiful. Nuff said!!!
very pretty Rebecca! I like your idea of doing one layer of lady fingers…next time!
Ithink this lighter version is a better match for me than the high-octane versions served in most restaurants. Very pretty swirly top!
I upped the coffee, lowered the alcohol :) Love the swirled topping, and the whole thing looks delicious!